This winter has tried to do a number on us, for sure, but many of us have found creative outlets to tide us over. Katy Rydell sent out a plea on Facebook: “Wanted: leftover yarn scraps. I'm on a yarn doll-making kick. One of the rules about making yarn dolls is that you can't actually go out and buy the yarn; you have to make it out of leftovers. I've used up all of mine. If you're a knitter and you have scraps you can bear to part with, let me know.” You know how to reach her, right?

Deb MacGilvra sent this bit: “Keith and I hosted a belated 90th birthday party for Edgar at Robinson's Wharf last weekend with a great assist from Nan Bogart. It took quite a while for Edgar to open all his many thoughtful presents. Eight month old Quinn, son of Jason and Kateri MacGilvra, stole the show with his cute antics. This grand-parenting thing is great fun! We are counting the days till the water is turned on and if the snow ever stops, we will open as soon as possible.” A-men, sistah!

Arthur Pierce, the ever-faithful communicator, sent this update: “St. Paddy’s weekend found Auntie Em driving up from Freeport to stay with Liz Hoefler and visit with Liz’s cousin, Anne Valpey, from Durham, N.H. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Nicole and their two youngsters drove up from Jamaica Plain for a weekend of fun in the snow, cozying into the loft of our small camp. Key Bank was sponsoring lift tickets so the fearless, just-turned three-year-old plus Elizabeth and Nicole skied together on Saturday morning. Alice Balcer drove up from Winthrop to join the group. Alice and Elizabeth then checked out the entire mountain in the afternoon. Deborah babysat while I skied solo except for a couple of runs to view the birthday girl.

“Meanwhile, Nate Pierce was participating in an invitational swim meet at Bowdoin College. Both Nate and Gabby swam in the state meets in Orono the previous weekend while Andrew, Chris, and Alice Balcer skied with us that Saturday. The Balcers returned to Winthrop Saturday evening as Alice was participating in the statewide cat neutering project on Sunday. Apparently she had to learn to tattoo cats in preparation for that activity!

“St. Paddy’s day was day 65 on skis for me this season. Both Deborah and I are sporting new skis because we literally wore our former ones so thin that they could no longer be tuned. Someone will convert them into lawn furniture, perhaps.

“We look forward to welcoming Nick and Lea back to New England the last weekend in March when we join them for dinner with John and Nancy Rohrer.”

After parent conferences, my 61 gang and I went to Boston to see “Flashdance.” Such fun! (Now I have to see the movie!) We stayed at the Taj, which was the former Ritz Carlton and walked to some really lovely meals! My favorite in the Theater District is Teatro’s, they have yummy food and are smart enough to serve half portions! Scott had a day or two at Sugarloaf with friend Mark Middleton and drove into Campbell Field to see two vehicles in the Pierce driveway. No sightings, though.

Molly Bogart has a request also: “I have a short addition for the column. You guessed it, I'm looking for Sunday Service volunteers! We're a bit ahead of where we were this time last year (thanks to everyone who stepped up!), but I still need people to lead July 13, 27, and August 24, 31. As always, I can be reached by phone or email (both of which are on the IOS website). Many thanks!”

Wherever you are, it’s officially spring. Now if we can just get it to look and feel like it around here, we’ll be happier! Let us know your news!